Turnover from Scotland's food and drink industries rose 2.8 per cent to a “record” £14.4 billion in 2014, new figures show.

Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Connectivity Fergus Ewing said the figures - released to start the Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight - suggest the sector is making “good progress towards meeting Scotland Food & Drink's target of £16.5 billion in sales by 2017”.

The newly-published data from the office of the chief economic adviser, suggests Scotland's food manufacturing sector grew 43 per cent between 2008 to 2014, which was twice the UK average growth rate.

Employment across the food and drink sector also rose 2.6 per cent in 2014 (up 3,000 jobs) to 119,100, accounting for 4.7 per cent of employment in Scotland.

However exports fell 1.8 per cent in real terms on the prior year to £9.8 billion and most recent data for the first quarter of 2016 suggests food and drink manufacturing and output is now in decline.

The briefing states: “Turnover in the food and drink growth sector stood at £14.4 billion in 2014, up from £14.0 billion in 2013 - representing an increase of 2.8 per cent over the year (nominal terms).

“Gross Value Added in the food and drink growth sector stood at £5.3 billion in 2014, up by 5.1 per cent on 2013 (nominal terms).”

Scotland’s food and drink industry was identified in the Scotland’s Economic Strategy as one of the growth sectors Scotland can build on existing comparative advantage and increase productivity and growth.

Commenting on the 2014 figures, Mr Ewing said: “The food and drink sector continues to be one of our most successful and that success shows no sign of slowing down.

“The industry is vital to Scotland - it creates jobs and wealth, impacts on health and sustainability, and helps attract people to the country by promoting our food and drink around the globe.

“This record turnover means that the sector is making good progress towards meeting the 2017 target of £16.5 billion, which has been set by Scotland Food & Drink.

“We are committed to doing all we can in government to support the growth of food and drink production and the contribution it makes to Scotland’s economy.

“Behind all of these figures are the drive and determination of the people who make up the industry - their hard work is key to ensuring, that Scotland’s food and drink is a success.”

Scotland Food & Drink chief executive, James Withers, added: “These are great figures and testament to a transformation in food and drink activity in Scotland over the last few years.

"The sector is not without challenges and uncertainty, but for a sector whose growth was stagnant a few years ago, this has been a major turnaround.

“The Scottish industry is now being recognised internationally for how it has embraced collaboration to grow, forging a stronger global reputation for our products.

“Opportunities still abound at home and overseas.

“We're investing in developing new customers across the UK and in key international markets.

“That work, alongside deeper partnership working between different industry bodies and government, will be the key to success in the coming years and central to a new 2030 strategy to be launch early next year.”